Snap fastener and snap strap fastener for clothing

ABSTRACT

An easy to engage and disengage snap fastener for clothing, made of a semi rigid plastic material but also of a more flexible vinyl or rubber like material or a combination of both materials, and an easy to engage and disengage snap strap fastener made preferably of a semi rigid plastic material but also of a more flexible vinyl or rubber like material or a combination of both materials and a strip of thermoplastic yarn web or fabric, said snap strap fastener could be adjustable in some applications. 
     The male fastener part is substantially spherical in shape and the female fastener part, of thin walled construction, is substantially oval or elliptic in its base portion and substantially circular in its upper portion, also engaging portion. The inner diameter of the upper circular portion of the female part fastener is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the male fastener part, said upper portion of the female fastener part flexes open, upon downward pressure being applied to the male fastener part against the female fastener part, thus allowing the male fastener part to engage and fasten in place.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to snap fasteners for clothing and snap trapfasteners for clothing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Snap fasteners comprise a variety of fasteners, most commonly pressbutton fasteners, mostly of metallic construction, some of plasticconstruction, lately not so often used in clothing. One of the proposeduses of the snap fastener is to replace regular buttons in a polo shirt,which commonly has three buttons, which could be replaced with the snapfastener of the present invention, increasing the ease for fasteningsaid polo shirt collar.

Strap fasteners comprise a variety of fasteners being one of the mostwidely used the hook and loop fastener. One of the hook and loopapplications is as a fastener in a men's bathing suit fly, which has aweak holding power and requires an additional fastener around the waist,most commonly a cord and lace fastener, to secure the bathing suitaround the waist. The snap strap fastener of the present invention couldbe used to fasten a men's bathing suit fly. Another suggested use of thesnap strap fastener could be as an adjustable snap strap fastener for ajacket cuff. Still another application could be as an adjustable snapstrap fastener for shoes or athletic shoes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an easy to use snapfastener as a replacement of buttons in a shirt, could be a polo shirt,providing a faster and simpler way to fasten the collar of a polo shirt.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an easy toengage and disengage snap strap fastener to simplify the way in which amen's bathing suit fly fastens, replacing the commonly used hook andloop fastener which requires an additional fastener for the waist,commonly a cord and lace.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anadjustable snap strap fastener for fastening jacket sleeve cuffs,replacing the hook and loop fastener.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide anadjustable snap strap fastener for some shoes, being this invention'ssnap strap fastener less bulky and cumbersome than the hook and loopfastener for shoes.

The snap fastener of the present invention includes a male fastener partand a female fastener part. One embodiment of the male fastener part issubstantially spherical. Another embodiment of the male fastener part isformed by two circular truncated cones joined at the larger diameterbase. One embodiment of the female fastener part is substantially ovalor elliptical in its base portion, with its upper portion opening of asubstantially circular shape, more particularly a truncated ellipticalcone. The circular opening of the upper portion comprises preferably atleast two substantially semi oval notches, on opposite sides. Anotherembodiment of the female fastener part is a truncated circular cone.Said circular cone, has its upper portion opening substantially circularin shape. This circular opening comprises at least four semicircularnotches on opposite sides. Both embodiments of the female fastener partare made of a thin walled construction, preferably of a semi rigidplastic material but they may also be made of a more flexible, vinyl orrubber like material or a combination of both materials, and act as aflexible socket.

The inner diameter of the upper portion circular opening of the femalefastener part is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of thesubstantially spherical male fastener part, whereas upon applyingpressure over the male fastener part with one person's finger againstthe upper portion opening of the female fastener part, said femalefastener part flexes thus allowing the male fastener to fall inside saidfemale fastener, forming a fastened bond, resisting lateral pullingforces, releasable upon applying an upward force, hence disengaging thefastener.

Another aspect of the present invention is a plurality of spaced apartmale fastener parts, in a single row, attached to a strip ofthermoplastic yarn web or fabric.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention a plurality of malefastener parts, in a double row, attached to a strip of thermoplasticyarn web or fabric.

It is still another aspect of the present invention a plurality offemale fastener parts, in a single row, attached to a thermoplastic yarnweb or fabric.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention plurality of femalefastener parts, in a double row, attached to a thermoplastic yarn web orfabric.

The spaced apart male fasteners, and female fasteners, attached to athermoplastic yarn web or fabric, constitutes a snap trap fastener, usedin some applications to replace a hook and loop fastener, for a male'sbathing suit fly, jacket sleeve cuffs, some shoes.

One method of manufacturing for the single male fastener part, is byinjection molding, preferably in one piece. It might be required to doit in two parts to be joined subsequently by ultrasonic or laser weldingmeans. Also for the female fastener by injection molding, most likely inone piece. Another manufacturing method for the snap strap fastener isto over mold by injection molding, a plurality of spaced apart malefasteners, preferably of polyamide (PA) material, onto a strip ofthermoplastic yarn web or fabric also preferably of polyamide material.Also to over mold by injection molding a plurality of spaced apartfemale fasteners, preferably of polyamide, onto a strip of thermoplasticyarn web or fabric, also preferably of polyamide (PA) material. Anadditional method of manufacturing the snap strap fastener is toseparately mold the male fastener part, by injection molding, with a pinon the base section of said male fastener and also mold by injectionmolding a small semi spherical cap, (not shown). Subsequently assemble aplurality of male fasteners to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web offabric, which had previously had by mechanical means, a series of holespunched to it, assemble the caps on opposite sides of the thermoplasticyarn web and join them by ultrasonic welding means. The same methodcould be used for the female fastener, to separately mold by injectionmolding the female fastener with two pins on opposite sides of it andalso mold by injection molding two small semi spherical caps (notshown). Subsequently assemble a plurality of female fasteners onto astrip of thermoplastic yarn web, which had previously had by mechanicalmeans, a series of holes punched to it, assemble the caps on oppositesides of the thermoplastic yarn web and join them by ultrasonic weldingmeans. An alternative to the ultrasonic welding may be laser welding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the female fastenerpart. FIG. 1B is a plan view of the same embodiment of the femalefastener part. FIG. 1C is a side view of the same embodiment of thefemale fastener part.

FIG. 2A is a plan view of a second embodiment of the female fastenerpart. FIG. 2B is a side view of the same embodiment of the femalefastener part.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the femalefastener part. FIG. 3B is a plan view of the same embodiment of thefemale fastener part. FIG. 3C is a side view of the same embodiment ofthe female fastener part.

FIG. 4A is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the female partfastener. FIG. 4B is a side view of the same embodiment of the femalepart fastener.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the male fastenerpart. FIG. 5B is a plan view of the same embodiment of the male fastenerpart. FIG. 5C is a side view of the same male fastener part. FIG. 5D isa bottom up view of the same embodiment of the male fastener part. FIG.5E is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A shown in FIG. 5B.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the malefastener part. FIG. 6B is a plan view of the same embodiment of the malefastener part. FIG. 6C is a side view of the same male fastener part.FIG. 6D is a bottom up view of the same embodiment of the male fastenerpart. FIG. 6E is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B shown inFIG. 6B.

FIG. 7A is a plan view of a third embodiment of the male fastener part.FIG. 7B is a side view of the same male fastener part. FIG. 7C is abottom up view of the same embodiment of the male fastener part. FIG. 7Dis a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the male fastener part.FIG. 8B is a side view of the same male fastener part. FIG. 8C is abottom up view of the same embodiment of the male fastener part. FIG. 8Dis a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D shown in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a side view of one embodiment of the snap fastener assembly.FIG. 9B is a side view of another embodiment of the snap fastenerassembly.

FIG. 10 is a side view of one embodiment of the snap strap fastenerassembly, illustrating the attachment to a strip of thermoplastic yarnweb.

FIG. 11A is a plan view of one embodiment of the male fastener part ofthe snap strap fastener.

FIG. 11B is a plan view of one embodiment of the female fastener part ofthe snap strap fastener.

FIG. 12A is a plan view of another embodiment of the male fastener partof the snap strap fastener. FIG. 12B is a plan view of anotherembodiment of the female fastener part of the snap strap fastener.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the inventionherein makes reference to the accompanying schematic diagrams, whichshow the exemplary embodiments by way of illustration and its best mode.While this exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should beunderstood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical andmechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. Thus, the detailed description herein ispresented for purposes of illustration only and not limitation.

Certain embodiments of the invention provide a female fastener part 10and a male fastener part 60 that may engage to one another to form asnap fastener 100, in a releasable bond, shown in FIG. 9A.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1A-C, the female fastener part 10 comprises of abase portion 12 and an upper portion 14, said base portion 12 is broaderthan the upper portion 14. According to one embodiment the base portion12 is elliptical and the upper portion 14 is substantially circular. Thefemale fastener part 10 includes a side wall 16, extending from the baseportion 12 to the upper portion 14. The side wall is preferably made ofsemi rigid plastic material, but said side wall may also be made of amore flexible vinyl or rubber like material, or in some embodiments acombination of both materials. The upper portion 14 of the femalefastener part 10 includes preferably two notches 18 on opposite sides,of semi elliptical shape, but it should be understood that in otherembodiments the notches could have different shapes or may not benecessary at all. Said notches 18 are for additional flexibility tofacilitate the female fastener part 10 to engage with the male fastenerpart in a fastened bond. The base portion 12 includes two half rings 20on opposite sides, as means of attaching the female fastener part 10 toa garment, by stitching, for example to a polo shirt.

The overall shape of the female part 10 is more particularly a truncatedelliptical cone, it has a thin wall and is “hollow”.

Turning now to FIGS. 2A-B, a second embodiment of the female fastenerpart according to the invention correspond to the snap strap fastener,and has similar reference numerals (increased by 100) referring tosimilar parts.

According to another embodiment, as can be seen in FIGS. 2A-B, thefemale fastener part 110 comprises a base portion 112 and an upperportion 114. The base portion 112 is elliptical and the upper portion114 is substantially circular. The female fastener part 110 includes aside wall 116, extending from the base portion 112 to the upper portion114. The side wall is preferably made of semi rigid plastic material butsaid side wall may also be made of a more flexible vinyl or rubber likematerial, or in some embodiments a combination of both materials. Theupper portion 114 of the female fastener part 110 includes preferablytwo notches 118 on opposite sides, of semi elliptical shape, but itshould be understood that in other embodiments the notches could havedifferent shapes or may not be necessary at all. Said notches 118 arefor additional flexibility to facilitate the female fastener part 110 toengage with the male fastener part in a fastened bond. Said base portionincludes two semicircular flanges 122 on opposite sides. The twosemicircular flanges have each a perpendicular pin 124, as means forattaching the female part 110 to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web orfabric.

The overall shape of the female part 110 is more particularly atruncated elliptical cone, it has a thin wall and is “hollow”.

According to third embodiment, as can be seen in FIGS. 3A-C, the femalefastener part 30 comprises a base portion 32 substantially circular andan upper portion 34 also substantially circular. The female fastenerpart 30 includes a side wall 36, extending from the base portion 32 tothe upper portion 34. The side wall 36 is preferably made of semi rigidplastic material, but said side wall may also be made of a more flexiblevinyl or rubber like material, or in some embodiments a combination ofboth. The upper portion 34 includes preferably four notches 38 onopposite sides, of semicircular shape, but it should be understood thatin other embodiments the notches could have different shapes or may notbe necessary at all. Said notches 38 are for additional flexibility tofacilitate the female fastener part 30 to engage with the male fastenerpart in a fastened bond. The base portion 32 includes two half rings 40on opposite sides, as means for attaching the female fastener part to afabric material of a garment, by stitching, for example to a polo shirt.

The overall shape of the female part 30 is more particularly a truncatedcircular cone, it has a thin wall and is “hollow”.

Turning now to FIGS. 4A-B, a fourth embodiment of the female fastenerpart according to the invention correspond to the snap strap fastener,and has similar reference numerals (increased by 100) referring tosimilar parts.

According to another embodiment, as can be seen in FIGS. 4A-B, thefemale fastener part 130 comprises a base portion 132, substantiallycircular, and an upper portion 134 also substantially circular. Thefemale fastener part 130 includes a side wall 136, extending from thebase portion 132 to the upper portion 134. The side wall is preferablymade of semi rigid plastic material, but said side wall may also be madeof a more flexible vinyl or rubber like material, or in some embodimentsa combination of both materials. The upper portion 134 includespreferably four notches 138 on opposite sides, of semicircular shape,but it should be understood that in other embodiments the notches couldhave different shapes or may not be necessary at all. Said notches 138are for additional flexibility to facilitate the female fastener part130 to engage with the male fastener part in a fastened bond. Said baseportion 132 has two semicircular flanges 142 on opposite sides. The twoflanges have each a perpendicular pin 144, as means for attaching thefemale part to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web or fabric.

The overall shape of the female part 130 is more particularly atruncated circular cone, it has a thin wall and is “hollow”.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-E, one of the embodiments of the male fastenerpart 60 is substantially spherical in shape. Said male fastener part mayhave an oblate shape in other embodiments (not shown). The male fastenerpart 60 comprises a base portion 62 and an upper portion 64, bothportions are flattened. As seen in FIG. 6D, the base portion 62 of saidmale fastener part 60 includes two elongated semicircular loops 66 onopposite sides, as means of attachment to a fabric material, for exampleto a polo shirt, but it should be understood that in certain embodimentssaid elongated semicircular loops may not be necessary. Said malefastener part is preferably made of a semi rigid plastic material. Ascan be seen in in FIG. 5E the upper portion 64 has preferably an emptycore 68, substantially cylindrical in shape, extending from the upperportion 64 towards the base portion 62, without reaching it.

A second embodiment of the male fastener part 80, as can be seen inFIGS. 6A-E, is substantially two truncated circular cones joinedtogether at the larger diameter side. The male fastener part 80comprises a base portion 82 and an upper portion 84. The base portion 82includes two elongated semicircular loops 86, on opposite sides, asmeans of attachment to a fabric material, for example to a polo shirt,but it should be understood that in certain embodiments said elongatedsemicircular loops may not be necessary. Said male fastener part ispreferably made of a semi rigid plastic material. As can be seen in FIG.6E the upper portion 84 has preferably an empty core 88, substantiallycylindrical, extending from the upper portion 84 towards the baseportion 82, without reaching it.

Turning now to FIGS. 7A-D and FIGS. 8A-D, a third and fourth embodimentsof the male fastener part according to the invention, correspond to thesnap strap fastener, and has similar reference numerals (increased by100) referring to similar parts.

A third embodiment of the male fastener part 160, as can be seen inFIGS. 7A-D, is substantially spherical. Said male fastener part may havean oblate shape in other embodiments (not shown). Said male fastenerpart 160 comprises a base portion 162 and an upper portion 164, bothportions are flattened. The base portion 162 includes a perpendicularpin 170, as means for attaching the male part 160 to a strip ofthermoplastic yarn web or fabric. Said male fastener part is preferablymade of a semi rigid plastic material. As can be seen in FIG. 7D theupper portion 164 has preferably an empty core 168, substantiallycylindrical, extending from the upper portion 164 towards the baseportion 162, without reaching it.

A fourth embodiment of the male fastener part 180, as can be seen inFIGS. 8A-D, is substantially two truncated circular cones joinedtogether at the larger diameter side. The male fastener part 180comprises a base portion 182 and an upper portion 184. The base portion182 includes a perpendicular pin 190, as means for attaching the malepart 180 to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web or fabric. Said malefastener part is preferably made of a semi rigid plastic material. Ascan be seen in FIG. 8D the top section has preferably an empty core 188,substantially cylindrical, extending perpendicularly from the upperportion 184 towards the base section 182, without reaching it.

The inner diameter of the upper portion circular opening of said femalefastener part 130 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of thesubstantially spherical male fastener part 160, whereas upon applyingpressure over said male fastener part with one person's finger againstthe upper portion opening of the female fastener part, said femalefastener part flexes, thus allowing the male fastener to engage insidesaid female fastener, forming a releasable fastened bond.

As shown in FIG. 9A, a side view of one embodiment of the snap fastenerassembly 100, comprising the embodiment of female fastener part 10engaged with the embodiment of the male fastener part 60. As shown inFIG. 9B, a side view of another embodiment of the snap fastener assembly200, comprising the embodiment of the female fastener part 30 engagedwith the embodiment of the male fastener part 80.

As shown in FIG. 10 , there is a side view of one embodiment of the snapstrap fastener assembly 300, comprised of a plurality of female fastenerparts 30, attached to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web or fabric 310,engaged with a plurality of male fastener parts 60, attached to a stripof thermoplastic yarn web or fabric 310.

FIG. 11A illustrates one embodiment of the male fastener part of thesnap strap fastener 330, attached to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web310, in a single row. FIG. 11B illustrates one embodiment of the femalepart of the snap strap fastener 340, attached to a strip ofthermoplastic yarn web 310, in a single row.

FIG. 12A illustrates another embodiment of the male fastener part of thesnap strap fastener 360, attached to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web310, in a double row. FIG. 12B illustrates the embodiment of the femalefastener part of the snap trap fastener 380, attached to a strip ofthermoplastic yarn web 310, in a double row.

1. A snap fastener for an article of clothing, said fastener comprising:a) A female fastener part comprising a base portion and an upperportion. b) A male fastener comprising a base portion and an upperportion.
 2. A female fastener part as in claim 1, wherein the baseportion is substantially elliptical in shape and the upper portion issubstantially circular in shape. Wherein said female fastener part has atruncated elliptical cone shape and is hollow.
 3. A female fastener partas in claim 2, wherein the base portion is joined to the upper portionby a side wall, said side wall made preferably of a semi rigid plasticmaterial, but also of a flexible vinyl or rubber like material or acombination of both materials.
 4. A female fastener part as in claim 3,wherein the base portion comprises at least two half rings on oppositesides of said base portion. Said half rings as a mean for attaching saidfemale part to an article of clothing, through stitching.
 5. A femalefastener part as in claim 4, wherein the upper portion comprises atleast two semi oval notches, on opposite sides of said upper portion,said semi oval notches to allow for a flexible point of contact with themale fastener part.
 6. A female fastener part as in claim 1, wherein thebase portion comprises at least two semicircular flanges, said flangescomprising a perpendicular pin each. Said perpendicular pins as a meanfor attaching the female fastener part to a strip of thermoplastic yarnweb, through ultrasonic welding.
 7. A male fastener part as in claim 1,wherein said male fastener part is substantially spherical in shape.Wherein the base and upper portion of said male fastener part areflattened. Said male fastener part made of a semi rigid plasticmaterial.
 8. A male fastener part as in claim 7, wherein the baseportion comprises at least two elongated half loops on opposite sides,said half loops as a mean for attaching said male part to an article ofclothing, through stitching. Wherein said male fastener part upperportion comprises an empty cylindrical core.
 9. A male part as in claim7, wherein the base portion comprises a perpendicular pin, saidperpendicular pin as a mean for attaching said male fastener part to astrip of thermoplastic yarn web through ultrasonic welding.
 10. A snapfastener for an article of clothing as in claim 1, said fastenercomprising: a) A female fastener part, wherein said female fastener partcomprises a circular upper portion, said upper portion having an innerdiameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the male fastenerpart. b) A male fastener part, wherein said male fastener part ispressed upon the female fastener part thus engaging with said femalefastener part in a releasable fasten position.
 11. A male fastener partfor an article of clothing as in claim 10, wherein said male fastenerpart upon being pulled away from the female fastener part releases fromsaid fasten position.
 12. A snap strap fastener, said snap strapfastener comprising: a) A plurality of female fastener parts as in claim6, wherein each of said plurality of female fastener parts comprises abase portion and an upper portion. b) A plurality of male fastener partsas in claim 9, wherein each of said plurality of male fastener partscomprises a base portion and an upper portion.
 13. A snap strap fasteneras in claim 12, said snap strap fastener comprising: a) A plurality offemale fastener parts as in claim 6, preferably made of semi rigidplastic material, but also of a more flexible vinyl or rubber likematerial, or a combination of both materials, wherein said plurality offemale fastener parts is over molded to a strip of thermoplastic yarnweb. b) A plurality of male fastener parts as in claim 9, preferablymade of semi rigid plastic material, wherein said plurality of malefastener parts is over molded to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web. 14.A snap strap fastener as in claim 12, said snap strap fastenercomprising: a) A plurality of female fastener parts as in claim 6,wherein the base portion of said plurality of female fastener parts isattached to a strip of thermoplastic yarn by means of ultrasonicwelding. b) A plurality of male fastener parts as in claim 9, whereinthe base portion of said plurality of male fastener parts is attached toa strip of thermoplastic yarn web by means of ultrasonic welding.
 15. Asnap strap fastener as in claim 12, said snap strap fastener comprising:a) A plurality of female fastener parts as in claim 6, wherein the baseportion of said plurality of female fastener parts is attached in asingle row to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web. b) A plurality of malefastener parts as in claim 9, wherein the base portion of said pluralityof male fastener parts is attached in a single row to a strip ofthermoplastic yarn web.
 16. A snap strap fastener as in claim 12, saidsnap strap fastener comprising: a) A plurality of female fastener partsas in claim 6, wherein the base portion of said plurality of femalefastener parts is attached in a double row to a strip of thermoplasticyarn web. b) A plurality of male fastener parts as in claim 9, whereinthe base portion of said plurality of male fastener parts is attached ina double row to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web.
 17. A snap strapfastener as in claim 15, wherein a strip of thermoplastic yarn webcomprising a plurality of male fastener parts attached, engages with astrip of thermoplastic yarn web comprising a plurality of femalefastener parts attached, upon being pressed to one another, forming afastened bond, releasable upon being pulled away.
 18. A snap strapfastener as in claim 17, wherein the plurality of female fastenersattached to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web, flexes to allow theplurality of male fastener parts to engage in a releasable fastenedbond.